Oscar winner Nyong'o named People's most beautiful

Oscar-winning Kenyan actress Lupita Nyong'o was named Most Beautiful person of 2014 by People magazine Wednesday, following in the footsteps of stars such as Gwyneth Paltrow, Julia Roberts and Tom Cruise, AFP reports.

The 31-year-old, who won best supporting actress for her role in "12 Years a Slave," said she only felt beautiful when she left Kenya aged 16, and learned the importance of looks from her mother.

"She taught me that your presentation is an expression of how much you care about yourself and those around you," she told the magazine, a Hollywood celebrity bible.

"My mother always said I was beautiful. When I went to Mexico at 16, that was the first time I felt beautiful."

Following Nyong'o as People's top beauty was Keri Russell in second place, followed by Jenna Dewan-Tatum, Mindy Kaling, and singer Pink in fifth.

Other past winners of the Most Beautiful person accolade include Cindy Crawford, Mel Gibson and Leonardo DiCaprio.